Sheffield community awarded for reducing anti-social behaviour

Stephanie Bateman

Sheffield community groups and services working together in Abbeydale have won an award for reducing anti-social behaviour.

South Yorkshire Police gave the Abbeydale Stakeholders group the award for partnership working in this year’s annual district ceremony after anti-social behaviour, which had been on the rise and was blighting the neighbourhood, reduced last year.

From 2013 to 2016 there had been an increase in incidents, and the seriousness of them, along Abbeydale Road from Highfield to Nether Edge. But this changed after the partnership group formed and developed an action plan which included more intelligence sharing, community work, closer working between youth services and an Autumn carnival and lantern parade which was attended by more than 350 people.

The result was a 23 per cent drop in anti-social behaviour between 23 October and 7 November last year, with a 60 per cent drop in firework-related incidents.

Councillor Jayne Dunn, Cabinet Member for Housing at Sheffield City Council, said: “The council and local partners have worked incredibly hard to tackle anti-social behaviour in Abbeydale and this is having results. The reduction in incidents around was testament to this and I’m very pleased the partnership’s work has been celebrated.

“We all know the hard work doesn’t stop here through and we’re all now focussed on building on these improvements. I’d like to thank everyone involved in playing a part in this.”

Jim Steinke, local resident and Friend of Mount Pleasant Park, said: “There is a feeling that we are no longer working from a deficit in the area. We need to maintain the ground by working in partnership and on the positive relationships we’ve built up over the last year.”

Chief Superintendent Shaun Morley said: “The awards provide an opportunity to celebrate and honour our officers and staff, as well as our partner agencies who we work very closely with as in this case, who all go above and beyond on a daily basis to serve the communities of Sheffield.

“Awards ceremonies such as this give us a chance to recognise hard work and share successes of individuals and groups, many of whom complete their work with no expectation of thanks or recognition. I am extremely pleased with the positive relationship we have with partners in Sheffield and I want to offer my thanks to everyone working across the city.”